Ok, so maybe Tavon Austin is the only one who thinks he's the best player available in the draft.

To say he's diminutive is an over statement. He's 5'8", 174 lbs. But this guy is a playmaker. Here's the write-up on him from NFL.com:

Strengths
Slot receiver possessing elite acceleration with the ball in his hands, takes advantage of available lanes to explode for big gains. Shows excellent vision both as a runner out of the backfield, as a returner, and as a receiver with the ball in his hands. Almost unstoppable at continue on for additional yardage. Not a frail receiver; plays tough, has some upper-body thickness, and bounces up quickly from hits. Varies the speed of his route, lulls defenders to sleep and takes off to create space on out routes or over the middle. Tough to grab after the catch in zone coverage. Flashes the hands to adjust to wide or high passes, as well as tracking balls over his shoulder. Also goes down to grab low throws. Displays excellent balance to tightrope the sideline. Often used on fly sweeps, using his elite quickness and acceleration to cut inside or get the corner for big plays. Finds space as a kickoff returner to use his speed, will head straight upfield and can spin off tackles in the open field to maximize the return. Can make the first man miss on punt returns and has the vision to slalom between players to the sideline or up the middle. Very difficult to track down from behind. Wins at every level of the field despite his size, and has been somewhat underutilized deep. Improved as a blocker, and will body up on bigger players.

Weaknesses
Limited to the slot on most plays; lacks the size and strength most scouts prefer outside, or even as a kick returner. Hands are good, but not exceptional; will let some hot passes through his small hands and into his chest. Gets a lot of his yardage on shallow crosses, quick throws outside, and the fly sweep/"touch pass." Might not have the chance to get the sideline as often at the next level, forcing him to lower the shoulder and get what's available to him inside. Must prove he can hang onto the ball after taking big hits from NFL defenders. Will hesitate on punt and kick returns at times instead of immediately accelerating or trusting his blocking, and can get tripped up easily on contact. Incredible balance and stop/start ability, but he might not have elite straight line speed.

NFL Comparison
Randall Cobb

Bottom Line
Don't blink when Austin has the ball in his hands, as his elite acceleration helped him finish second in the country in all-purpose yards as a senior and lead the FBS as a junior. Don't be surprised if he turns out to be a first round pick or the first wide receiver off the board, as he is a huge playmaker on offense and special teams in the NFL despite the slight build that scared scouts away from other WVU offensive stars in the past.

I think Chiefnj2 pointed out that he's the perfect kind of receiver in an Alex Smith-led offense.

And frankly, with Austin and Charles on the field at the same time, we would have more speed than most defenses could handle.

something cooler

03-05-2013 02:15 PM

I wanna buy a quarter ounce of whatever you are on.

Detoxing

03-05-2013 02:16 PM

If im taking a WR, im taking Patterson. Austin is a really, really nice complimentary player when you already have playmakers on the outside.

CaliforniaChief

03-05-2013 02:24 PM

I'm not arguing for Austin...but I'd take him before I'd take a lineman (offense or defense). I did put up a mock draft where I took Patterson 1.1...but I like Austin's swagger. And he just lights up defenses.

DaneMcCloud

03-05-2013 02:59 PM

Not at 1.1. The guy is nearly the same size as McCluster, so there's concerns about his durability, especially over a 16+ game season.

HemiEd

03-05-2013 04:17 PM

No more midgets, please.

Direckshun

03-05-2013 04:47 PM

I think he's incredibly talented, but we do not need his services enough for a #1 overall.

DJ's left nut

03-05-2013 05:23 PM

Austin at 1.1 would be borderline fireable.

I don't care how much you like him, if Cordarelle Patterson is on the board when you're looking for a WR, that's who you take.

Now if he's sitting at 10 and Patterson went 9, it's justifiable because you're getting the best available playmaker on the board at 9 and that's not the worst decision to make. But there's no way he should go ahead of Patterson; that kid's a Julio Jones, AJ Green level talent.

DeezNutz

03-05-2013 05:28 PM

Fans will never have enough pre-draft information to make an informed decision about Patterson, since the dude carries a shit ton of potential baggage.

He absolutely should be in the discussion for the Chiefs, though. Hope they interview the kid extensively.

Hog's Gone Fishin

03-06-2013 12:20 PM

I like Tavon . He would have fit nicely at #34

Sorter

03-06-2013 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer
(Post 9470551)

I like Tavon . He would have fit nicely at #34

IMO, he's going in the 1st round.

NE, Houston, and Minny could all be in play.

CaliforniaChief

03-14-2013 08:07 PM

Tavon Austin apparently had a monster pro-day.

He's the best playmaker in this draft class, and I don't think it's close. I hear what y'all are saying about 1.1, but if we manage to swap with Buffalo, I think we take a good hard look at him there. I think he's that good.

4 years at WVU and never missed a practice? Ran a 4.3 40? Not injury prone. He's Percy Harvin/DeSean Jackson without the baggage.

DeezNutz

03-14-2013 08:08 PM

If you redo '09, we take Raji or Harvin at #3. While I don't think Austin is the latter, it's not as ridiculous a notion as it first sounds.

It's a hell of a lot more sensible than a RT.

Chiefshrink

03-14-2013 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief
(Post 9499737)

Tavon Austin apparently had a monster pro-day.

He's the best playmaker in this draft class, and I don't think it's close. I hear what y'all are saying about 1.1, but if we manage to swap with Buffalo, I think we take a good hard look at him there. I think he's that good.

4 years at WVU and never missed a practice? Ran a 4.3 40? Not injury prone. He's Percy Harvin/DeSean Jackson without the baggage.

I've been saying this for the last couple of weeks now that IF we are not taking Geno then let's take the most dynamic immediate playmaker available. This kid is football tough no doubt and will be ROTY in '13'.